Sialochemical profile in depressive individuals: A cross-sectional ex vivo study

Abstract

Introduction: Depression is a mental disorder that is pervasive and affects people all around the world. In India, about one in five people is affected by depressive disorders. An autonomic nervous system affected by depressive disorder can affect the salivary composition since salivary secretion is controlled by the sympathetic and parasympathetic innervations. Alteration in the salivary composition can affect oral health and makes them vulnerable to oral infection. Aim: The aim is to study the sialochemical alteration in depressive individuals. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients were divided into two groups: Group I (normal individuals) and Group II (patients with depressive disorder). Depression level was assessed with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Whole unstimulated saliva was collected and subjected to sialochemical analysis (sodium, potassium, chloride, total protein, urea, salivary amylase, calcium, and pH). Result and Conclusion: The parameters were statistically analyzed using parametric ttest and showing statistically significant raised levels in salivary amylase, total protein, sodium, chloride, and calcium, and there was no statistical difference in salivary pH, urea, and potassium levels.

Keywords

• autonomic nervous system
• depression
• depressive disorder
• neurophysiology
• norepinephrine
• sialochemistry